About
A perennial maturing to about 40cm tall with mid-green, fairly broad, upright, stem-clasping leaves. The ivory flowers appear in terminal clusters from mid-spring to midsummer.
About the genus
Roscoea are tuberous perennials with arching, linear or lance-shaped leaves and showy orchid-like flowers in summer or autumn
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming, Columnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden
Care notes
CultivationGrow in humus-rich, moderately fertile, moist but well-drained, preferably neutral soil. A cool, sheltered site in partial shade is ideal; in very cold areas apply a deep winter mulch. If growing from a tuber, plant 15cm deep
PruningRemove faded flowers, the rest of the plant will die down naturally
PropagationPropagate by seed in pots in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe, or by division of tubers in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to vine weevils and slugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free but a virus may be a problem